Search Results for agency_names:"Homeland Security Department"

The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), part of the Department of Homeland Security, has finalized new flood hazard determinations. These include updates to flood elevation levels and zone designations in various communities, which have been published in the form of Letters of Map Revision (LOMR). These changes are important for the National Flood Insurance Program and help communities manage floodplain requirements. Property owners and lessees can access this updated flood information online through the FEMA Map Service Center.

FEMA, part of the Department of Homeland Security, has announced that they have updated their environmental assessment originally conducted in 2010 for their Grant Programs Directorate (GPD). This update is called a Supplemental Programmatic Environmental Assessment (SPEA) and looks into how FEMA's programs for security and preparedness might impact the environment. FEMA believes, based on this new analysis, that the programs will not have any significant negative effects on the environment. They are asking the public to provide comments about this conclusion before a final decision is made.

The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) has updated a previous major disaster declaration for Louisiana, originally made on September 16, 2024. This amendment, issued on November 7, 2024, adds St. James and St. John the Baptist Parishes as areas impacted by the disaster, eligible for various forms of assistance. These include support for public and permanent work projects and individual help such as disaster loans and housing assistance. The update is part of ongoing efforts to support communities affected by the disaster with the necessary federal resources.

The Department of Homeland Security's U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) is seeking public feedback on its proposal to extend the use of an information collection tool called Form I-134A. This form is used to assess if U.S.-based individuals can financially support certain immigrants during their temporary stay in the U.S., as part of several programs, including Uniting for Ukraine and Family Reunification Parole processes. The public can submit comments for 60 days to evaluate the necessity and efficiency of the information collection, which affects over a million respondents annually. The USCIS is also collecting biometric data to verify identities and conduct background checks as part of this process.

The Coast Guard, part of the Department of Homeland Security, has proposed a change to the operating schedule for two bridges over the Savannah River: the Houlihan Bridge in Georgia and the Seaboard System Railroad Bridge near Hardeeville, South Carolina. This change would require a 24-hour advance notice for bridge openings, up from the current three hours, due to fewer opening requests and to allow maintenance crews to be on-site. The proposed rule aims to improve response times for maintenance while still accommodating vessels that do not require the bridges to open. Public comments on the proposal are invited until April 12, 2021.

The U.S. Coast Guard plans to submit a request to renew approval for collecting information about facilities transferring oil or hazardous materials. This request, necessary under the Paperwork Reduction Act, involves operators submitting a Letter of Intent and an Operations Manual, which details procedures for transfers and spills. The public is invited to comment on the usefulness, burden, and enhancement of the information collection process by May 9, 2025. The number of responses has decreased, leading to a reduction in the estimated burden from 37,360 to 27,537 hours annually.

The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) and the Department of Justice (DOJ) issued an interim final rule in 2006 focused on the rights of "arriving aliens" in removal proceedings to adjust their status to permanent residency. This rule involved removing certain provisions and reorganizing others, but an oversight led to incorrect regulatory cross-references. The purpose of the published correction is to amend these references without making any substantive policy changes. DHS bypassed the usual public notice and comment process for this correction because it only involves non-substantive amendments to regulatory cross-references.

The U.S. Coast Guard is requesting public comments on the renewal of an Information Collection Request (ICR) related to Merchant Mariner Credentials and Medical Certificates. In compliance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, this request is being reviewed to ensure the collection of information is necessary and does not place an undue burden on respondents. Comments must be submitted by February 11, 2021, through the Federal eRulemaking Portal or directly to the Office of Management and Budget (OMB). The Coast Guard is particularly interested in feedback on the practical use and clarity of the information collected and suggestions for reducing any associated burdens.

The Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA) is considering removing 49 Division 1.1 explosive chemicals from Appendix A of the Chemical Facility Anti-Terrorism Standards (CFATS) regulations. These chemicals are currently regulated by both CISA and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF), which creates a regulatory overlap. By removing these explosives from CFATS, the agency aims to reduce the regulatory burden on facilities overseen by both CISA and ATF, without compromising security. CISA is seeking public comments on this proposal to better understand its potential impact on facility security and regulatory obligations.

The Coast Guard is making changes to a temporary safety zone in West Passage, Narragansett Bay, Jamestown, RI. These changes include extending the safety zone's effective period to January 31, 2025, and updating the name of the cable laying vessel involved in operations. This safety zone ensures the safety of personnel and vessels from hazards associated with cable laying. Unauthorized entry into the safety zone is prohibited during active cable operations unless specifically allowed by the Captain of the Port, Sector Southeastern New England.